How much would this french coin be worth today? Also What about the 1877 USA Trade Dollar CC coin? Pics to be posted soon.
France was a monarchy until 1793. After that monarchy and republic took bloody turns until 1870. Take a good look at the date again and see if it might be 1853. Also, some idea of denomination would be helpful.
On the other side of the french coin it reads Indo-Chine Francaise - Titre .900 Poids 27GR. The coin clearly states that it was made back in 1553. I'm debating if this legit or not but I'll post pics later when I can upload'em to my pc.
Here is a gallery of French Indochina 1 piastre coins. The type you describe was issued in the late 19c and early 20c ... http://www.numishop.net/boutique/colonie/listemonnaiesphotos.cfm?&type=1 piastre &personnage=4258 (The "suivant" button takes you to the next page.) If you want to search yourself, this is the colonies index page: http://www.cgb.fr/boutique/colonie.html Christian
Sorry, I cannot help with this. It lies outside my collecting interest and I have no knowledge of it or it's value. I cannot help with the 1877 USA Trade Dollar CC either. Sorry!
Looks like a manipulated piece. As others have already written, in 1553 there was no French Republic (and no "French Indochina" either). Also, the name BARRE at the bottom refers to the chief engraver of the French Mint in the 1840s and '50s. By the way, is it just me, is it the picture, or does the lady look a little strange on that altered piece? On the original coins (see the previously posted link) she has a relatively soft or even round face. The face on that "1553" piece, however ... Christian
Hmm..if someone wanted to make a fake copy of this then why put the date down as 1553? Makes no sense. I'm thinking of taking my coins into a coin shop and have them look at it.
Very true, but beside the point. Forgers DO things like that, especially the Chinese. If you want accurate information, make sure you are talking to a dealer who doesn't consider world coinage a sideline or a nuisance. That advice sharply limits your choices, and I would suggest trying to attend a major coin show, where there will be dealers in world coinage to talk to. If you are anywhere near Long Beach, CA, the show near the end of this month would be an ideal place to take your material.
That coin doesn't look right at all to me. The silver look and the face looks off to me as well. It is probably a counterfeit from Asia.
I don't see any characterics of that coin to fit the time period etched upon it and it is filled with errors. But that has been pretty much stated already.
I guess you could weigh it to see if it's around 27+ grams.Here's a real one from 1887 Mint name : Paris Mint mark : A Mintage : 3.076.410 exemplaires Diameter in mm : 39 mm Die axis : 6 h. Metal : Argent Actual weight : 27,10 g. Legal weight : 27,215 g. Pieces to the mark : 36 3/4 kilo Fineness per thousand : 900°/oo Description of rim : cannelée
As a couple of the regulars have already noted, that coin is a forgery and a pretty poor one at that for fairly obvious reasons. The real McCoy circulated in French Indochina from 1885. Although it had a definite currency value, it also acted much the same way as a trade dollar in terms of its silver bullion value and as such travelled outwith its currency zone. Your one has been made in relatively modern times for the flea markets with the view to luring the unsuspecting into thinking that they have stumbled onto a genuine silver piece.... at a `bargain' price of course. Sadly, the ploy evidently works more times than not. Ian
